Monthly Archives: February 2017

DANCING TREES OF LIFE Art Exhibit for Tu Bshvat by Dove Govrin Kol Shafar Gallery 215 Blackfield Dr. Tiburon, CA. Exhibit from February 12th -March 21, 2017 Dancing Trees of Life Art Exhibit Sponsored by Center of Jewish Spirituality By Ilene Serlin For Tu Bshvat We, at the Center for Jewish Spirituality, believe that spirituality can take many forms in the Jewish tradition. For Tu Bshvat, we were honored to host local artist and dance therapist, Dove Govrin, to offer an opening movement celebration of trees, followed by her ceramic tree exhibit in the Kol Shofar art gallery. Over 40 people participated in the opening Qigong demonstration of the Five Element Trees, that balances body, mind and spirit. The Dancing Trees of life exhibition features 18 ceramic dancing trees, celebrating life and the birthday of the trees. The artist, Dove Govrin, created dancing trees as self portraits, a path to inner reflections, searching for deeper spirituality, connection to Mother Earth and a prayer for peace in the Middle East. This work has been inspired by her roots in Judaism and her teaching of Qigong from Chinese Medicine. The exhibit has been well received by all ages. Children from Kol Shofar have been spellbound when entering into the gallery. Mark Dubois, the activist who spoke on Tu Bshvat, was deeply moved by the exhibit. Dubois, whose wife started TreeSisters.org, gave a compassionate talk about the urgent need for restoration and reforestation, planting a Million Trees. As we celebrate the birthday of the Trees, we are reminded how trees provide us with basic needs for food, shelter and oxygen. We are depend on them and they are dependent on us for survival. Let the dancing trees inspire you. Please enjoy the exhibit in the Kol Shofar gallery, extended until March 21. Tree of Life Reflections “Early in March 2017 a dear friend passed away. Her relatives gathered, two in particular who came over from England were deeply grief stricken. Many family members staying in a very small home helped create a pressure cooker atmosphere. For a break I took my friends over to Kol Shofar synagogue in Tiburon to see Dove Govrin’s Dancing Trees of Life art exhibit. Dove had made a series of ceramic trees based on the tree of life, threaded with themes of love, peace, healing and adding motifs of healing and regeneration from her own knowledge of Chinese Medicine and the art of Qigong. I was not sure how these Unfamiliar themes would resonate with my London friends but as we stood before the ceramic pieces it was obvious that they touched deeply providing healing and consolation. The symbol of the trees, the dance of Life and regeneration, the restorative power in nature transcend culture and language. My friends were able to pass from great distress to having moments of peace, relief and love. The staff and Rabbi at Kol Shofar supported this consolation even more by their kindness and by the gift of a beautiful seven day remembrance candle. I felt I witnessed the healing power of art and human kindness. Thank you Dove and Kol Shofar.” Teresa Colton — A student who visited the Dancing Trees of Life exhibit